Losing my job was one of the most character defining moments of my life. I still look back at parts of it, and smile. Allow me to explain.

As a law enforcement officer, I lived by the mantra Firm, Fair and Consistent. It let the inmates know where I stood, as well as the staff. When people ask me about my challenges, I tell them it was not the inmates as it was the officers and supervisors working around me. Some of my co-workers felt it was OK to be abusive to the inmates AND other officers, physically, mentally, and sexually. I strongly and emphatically disagreed, and felt it was my duty as a human being to stand against this treatment when done in my presence. I already cemented my reputation when I reported the actions of a lieutenant, then was brought up on a charge of conspiracy to commit attempted murder.

Yes, they tried to bring me up on attempted murder charges.

So began a wild roller coaster ride with the NJDOC. I hated the lies and corruption. I hated the fake investigations, the phone tapping, the breaking into my apartment to dig for evidence I had for the Department of Justice. There’s a list of dirty deeds they perpetrated against me and it weighed down on me like lead and concrete overalls. I hated to go to work, and it showed in a string of tardiness.

That’s what got me fired. I had 2 one minute lates and 1 two minute late in one month, on top of a few other lates during that year. I had documentation for two of them, which mysteriously disappeared from my representative’s file at courtline. A few days later, at roll call, I did not hear my name. A sergeant walked over to me and told me the administrative lieutenant wanted to see me. When I walked into his office, I saw the three supervisors and the paperwork. They were terminating my employment.

The lieutenant, who was also one of the entities I complained about, told me to relinquish my badge and my ID. I complied. He then added, please turn in your protective vest at a later date. Why would I wait for later date, when right now was fine by me? I felt that vest on me. It was the symbol of those lead and concrete overalls. It was so heavy, so hot, so itchy. I wanted it off and all the ugliness it represented. I wanted to break free, even if I didn’t know where tomorrow would take me. I had ENOUGH.

I stood up, moved to the middle of his office and said TAKE IT NOW!!!! The vest was the type that goes under your clothes, so I began taking off my clothes in his office. I undid my belt and pants (they started screaming NO! NO!!!), then I unbuttoned my shirt, taking it off. I then grabbed for the velcro straps of my vest, ripping the vest off with the angriest striptease ever and tossed the vest down on the extremely red-faced lieutenant’s desk. That day without question, I walked out with my head high and a smile on my face. I was free, and they knew I was a 48D Playtex 18 hour.